Fylde Coast Weekend and Midweek
Winter Wader ID Minibreaks

We are based on the Fylde Coast, sandwiched between the Ribble Estuary and Morecambe Bay – 2 of the most important wetlands on the planet, that both absolutely teem with thousands upon thousands of waders ( and wildfowl ) in winter.

Many people can find it a struggle to identify these waders in their non breeding (winter) plumage but our 2 day / 3 day courses will help you solve that problem by looking at size, shape, structure, behaviour, habitat preference and plumage to help you confidently identify these sometimes tricky species.

Working out whether it’s a Black tailed or a Bar tailed Godwit, a Ringed or a Little ringed Plover, a Curlew or a Whimbrel, a Grey or a Golden Plover, a Dunlin or a Knot or any other shorebird conundrum can be made easier by joining one of our identification ‘weekends’

As well as the shorebirds there’s plenty of other avian interest in this part of the world and we also run general small group ( maximum of 5 ) winter birdwatching breaks based on the Fylde Coast on request. The Ribble Estuary is excellent for raptors too in winter and we can confidently  expect to see Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine and Merlin too along with Great White Egret and Spoonbill.

We occasionally get the odd scarcer species too in winter with Snow Bunting, Shorelark, Purple Sandpiper, Bewick’s Swan and others usual here in winter.

Your guide, Stuart, worked for the RSPB on the Ribble Estuary and is a self confessed Godwit ( Black tailed of course ) obsessive. For the last few years he has led the RSPB guided walks on the Fylde side of the Ribble Estuary.